NFL: Escambia's Jacob Copeland, UWF's David Durden sign to NFL teams as undrafted free agents
A pair of players with Pensacola ties didn't hear their name called during this past weekend's NFL Draft.
Still, Escambia's Jacob Copeland and the University of West Florida's David Durden will each have an opportunity to make an NFL roster from the wide receiver position after signing contracts as undrafted free agents on Saturday.
Copeland inked a deal with the Tennessee Titans while Durden did the same with the Dallas Cowboys.
Upon the news that he was headed to Nashville, Copeland took to social media to tweet "#TitanUp."
— Jacob Copeland (@JCope1era) April 29, 2023
2023 NFL Draft: Pine Forest alum Devon Witherspoon selected in first round by Seattle Seahawks
2023 NFL Draft: Pine Forest assistant coach shares in Devon Witherspoon's life-changing moment
Following prep careers at Pine Forest High and Escambia High, Copeland, the 2017 PNJ Offensive Player of the Year, made national headlines after signing with the University of Florida, where he spent four seasons from 2018-2021. The 5-foot-11, 201-pound wideout appeared in 40 games while in Gainesville, totaling 86 catches for 1,366 yards and nine touchdowns.
He finished his collegiate career this past season at the University of Maryland, playing in 12 games. Copeland led the Terrapins in yards per reception (14.5) while hauling it in 26 catches for 376 yards and a pair of scores.
Declaring for the draft after the season, Copeland was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, turning in an official 40-yard dash time of 4.42 seconds.
Durden's arrival to Pensacola came in the summer of 2020 after stints at Division I Mercer and a brief escapade as a Minor League baseball player in the Boston Red Sox organization. When his time in Pensacola ended, the 6-2, 200-pound wide receiver from Midville, Georgia enjoyed one of the most productive careers in Argos history.
Durden ended his UWF tenure with 88 catches for 1,915 yards and program-record-tying 23 touchdowns.
Starting the final 12 games of the 2022 campaign, Durden racked up 1,128 yards receiving and another 248 yards in punt returns. He scored 13 times en route to being named an AP and AFCA First Team All-American.
Durden will look to become the second UWF player to make an NFL roster. Last year, former Argos defensive back D'Anthony Bell made the Cleveland Browns 53-man roster after signing as an undrafted free agent.
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at (850) 503-3828, on Twitter @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: NFL: Copeland signs with Tennessee Titans, Durden joins Dallas Cowboys
